Well you are being taught by morons who feed you full of Fake news plagurized and regurgitated internet bullshit. I don't know the new lingo, I just know what works. Topping a healthy young plant is in no way stressful and plants start vegging the day the break ground. I would ignore anyone who says otherwise.
It may be true, but some people don’t top at the right time, some people listen when they get told you can top any time, which leads people to believe they are stressing the plant because of stunting and catch up growth times.
I mean how many times do you hear water coco to runoff, yet you’d kill a seedling if you did exactly that, shit I’ve done it too many times, yet first run in soil was successful. I put that to paying attention to the plant itself, she’ll tell you what she needs, just some people don’t know how to listen. I didn’t know how to listen till i did everything myself, hands on, and I got to watch it flourish. Now I know how to deal with that. Someone pole learn better by being told.
I have a buddy who is having the most insane beginners luck. He has a forest and has no idea what he’s doing lol
Op it’s all about your comfort level, if you feel the need to grow one out fully, first, just to see the cycle first hand without training, DO IT. You’ll learn. :)